As I sat trembling in my seat, anxiously awaiting performing at my first rally, I prayed I would remember all I had learned in my first few months as a cheerleader.

I felt like the rally dragged on before our performance. After the cheer squad was announced, I stood and the butterflies in my stomach overwhelmed me.

We ran out onto the floor. Unfortunately, I stumbled over the edge of the blue mat and almost fell flat on my face. I was thankful for all of the girls around me because my mishap went virtually unnoticed. While performing, I tried to put my close call behind me and just concentrated on our cheers.

Overall, cheer has been the most challenging sport I have encountered in my four years on campus. Emotions fly through me while I perform. Standing in front of so many people makes me feel self-conscious, yet the thrill of cheer is incomparable to my experiences with volleyball and tennis.

I joined the cheer squad because most of my friends were already cheerleaders and I felt left out. I had cheered in elementary school but our school did not have junior high cheer at the time. When my friends left for competitions over the weekends, I mostly alone and was bored much second semester.

My decision to join cheer has already been the highlight of my senior year. I am so involved with campus activities; on game nights I love socializing with the girls. I love being a part of a group that bonds and hangs out together.

Some say cheer is not a sport, but it is definitely a lot more challenging than any sport I have played. I have to make all the correct motions and facial expressions throughout each dance routine. I am judged throughout the entire performance.

In our first stunt during my first rally, I was concerned that my nerves would hinder my ability to steadily hold Nikki [Erickson, ’09]. I had to overcome my fear and rely on my previous hours of practice. As it turned out our first stunt hit perfect and the three that followed were ?right on.?

If I were to rate our overall performance, I would give the squad a ten. We all worked together and our commitment to cheer has truly paid off. I was so grateful to get the first rally behind me. Its completion helped show how much I really love cheer.

Cheer has given me a lot of confidence even though we compete in front of hundreds of people and judges at the cheer competitions. Public speaking has always been my greatest fear but cheering and performing has helped me overcome my anxieties. I know if I can perform my routine in front of an audience of hundreds, I can give speeches in English or any other public speaking for that matter.

The varsity competition cheer squad will compete at USA Regionals at Clovis North High School on Nov. 8.

For more information on cheer, read Clinics instructs future cheer squads or e-mail cheer coach Katie Mendenhall.